I need clearing up on backing up.

Dell Vostro v13, Windows 7 Home Premium.

My current method is this:

I backup a full image of my hard drive on my Vostro to an external hard drive using Macrum Free.

Then, I use Windows easy transfer to back up all my files and settings to the same external hard drive. I do this aobut once every week or two.
My thinking is that if my harddrive fails on my Vosto, I can simply have it replaced with a new one, boot to the boot cd I made with Macrium, and restore the Macrium image from my external hard drive, and be back to where I was before.

On the other hand, If I get a new computer because my vostro fries, gets stolen, lost, etc, I can use windows easy tranfer to get all my files and settings from my external hard drive.
Two questions.
1. Will these two things work like I am believeing it will?

2. What would happen if I got a new computer, booted to the Macrium boot cd I made, and transferred the image from my old Vostro to a totally new computer?

thanks, so much form your help.
bill

Backing up by imaging is a great way for you to back up for that PC. Loading an image from a previous PC to a new PC would cause problems. If it's an OEM version of Windows, transferring the image to a new PC would be in violation to the terms of the EULA. Not to mention the hardware, drivers, and everything else will be differnt on the new PC. You'd be better to clean install Windows.


My preferred method of backing up is to take an image of my fresh install. I install only the updated drivers, and Windows updates and that is it. I have a clean image I can revert back to if I decide to change my software. (Security Suite, and other various software). I also keep an updated weekly image for emergency. If everything is running smooth, and some sort of disaster happens, I have a reliable image to fall back on.

I also keep all my important files backed up on a series of DVD's. For transfer to a new PC if I ever aquired one. Always keep a series of discs because a hard drive can fail, and there goes all your images. Always prepare for a worst case scenario.

Thank you for your reply. So...if I understand you correctly, what I am doing is fine. But...restoring to a new computer from an image of an older computer is a no no, and you recommend in addition to what I am doing, to back up important files (outlook, quicken, pictures etc. maybe even windows easy transfer) to something other that the external hard drive (DVD, Thumb drive, etc.) as an extra safety precaution. I am reading you right?

Again, thanks.
Bill

That's about it.....

Have a good day!